Industrial property

SPC Case law – France – Paris Court of Appeal – January 12, 2024

Articles 3a) and 3c) of Regulation No. 469/2009 In a decision of 12 January 2024, the Paris Court of Appeal (Docket No. 22/16673) dismissed an appeal filed by Mylan Ireland Ltd and its French subsidiary Viatris Santé (together « Mylan ») against the decision of the Paris First Instance Court (Docket No. 22/55128). More specifically, the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the first instance decision in that SPC FR08C0033 held by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (« Merck ») covering the combination of sitagliptin and metformin is valid. More specifically, MSD is the owner of European patent No. 1 412 357  (« EP 357 »). MSD...
Industrial property,Uncategorized

Opinion of Advocate General Nicholas Emiliou delivered on June 6, 2024 (1) Joined Cases C-119/22 and C-149/22

In an opinion of 6 June 2024, the Advocate General Emiliou suggests a straightforward and literal construction of Article 3 (c) of the SPC Regulation 469/2009, while providing clarifications on Teva I (C-121-17) on the interpretation of paragraph (a) of the same Article. Background AG Emiliou opine in the context of the closely followed cases opposing Merck Sharp & Dome Corp. (hereinafter Merck) to: Teva BV and Teva Finland Oy (hereinafter Teva), challenging the validity of Merck’s SPC covering a combination of sitagliptin (hereinafter substance A, as the opinion puts it) and metformin (substance B) to treat type 2 diabetes, in front...